Hero, a calf whose determination to stand defies the reality that he has no hooves, needs some help where it counts.

Now living at Selah Ranch All Animal Rescue in western Virginia, the 6-month-old calf lost his hooves to frostbite when he was left in a freezing pasture in April, said Kitty Martin, a Texas native now living in Virginia.

A donated set of prosthetic hooves didn't prove to be a permanent solution, but the resolute animal refuses to stay down, said Martin, who took him in at her rescue ranch in May.

"All he wants to do is get up, but he's in so much pain right now," she said. "He's standing on bone with hide over it."

On Tuesday, Martin spoke with veterinarians at Texas A&M University who said they thought they could help Hero if she can get him there. They gave him an appointment for Nov. 7.

She's trying to raise a minimum of $1,700 to pay for the trip and initial appointment.

"If I can't raise it really quickly, I'm going to have to euthanize him this week," she said. "He's fallen and crashed into the walls a couple times. He's going to get hurt."

Once the veterinary staff examines him, additional funds will be needed to cover treatment, perhaps totaling $10,000, she said.

If he survives the ordeal, Martin said she sees a special destiny for the tawny calf that won't give up.

"I want to use him as a therapy calf with returning war vets," she said.

"We want to donate our time to help them out."

Martin and her husband started the therapy ranch in 2008 and have operated it since then on a tight budget, she said.

The difficulty in raising funds for Hero's rehabilitation has been frustrating, she said.

"He's been reported on around the world," she said. "Everyone says, 'Save the calf,' and we did. I hate to lose him for money issues. It costs me $25 a day just to bandage him."